Samaraweera paves the way

5 April 2008

Daren Powell © Getty Images

Thilan Samaraweera struck a magnificent century to single-handedly keep Sri Lanka's hopes of victory alive on day three of the second Test in Trinidad.

Samaraweera came to the tourists' rescue with a knock of 125, after they had looked like being steam-rollered by the West Indies pace attack.

The number five helped his team recover from 78 for five at lunch to reach 268 all out by close of play.

Samaraweera cracked 18 fours to record his sixth Test century, before he was run out attempting a second run.

Muttiah Muralitharan followed, caught at fine leg by Daren Powell off Jerome Taylor, to leave the hosts to chase 253 for a victory which would level the series.

Thilan Samaraweera scores his sixth Test century for Sri Lanka © Getty Images

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Taylor also did for Malinda Warnapura, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chamara Silva.

Sri Lanka had been reeling on 99 for six when Silva was caught at gully by Marlon Samuels.

They had earlier lost both openers within the first two overs, Warnapura caught by Sewnarine Chattergoon at third slip and Michael Vandort run out with a direct hit from silly mid-off.

Mahela Jayawardene played on, attempting a square drive off Fidel Edwards - and Kumar Sangakkara guided an attempted cut off Powell straight to Samuels at gully.

Dilshan smashed Powell for two fours and a six in his first over but lost his off stump to Taylor.

Chaminda Vaas provided for Samaraweera, making 45 in a 138-run partnership before edging a Chris Gayle delivery behind.

West Indies had earlier added 26 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 294 - Muralitharan finishing with 5-79 and his 63rd five-wicket Test haul.